When Jonah initially refused to carry out God's directive to bring a prophecy to the people of Nineveh, it was likely an emotional response based on Jonah's knowledge of the horrors inflicted by the Assyrians of that region upon the Jews and others. Jonah felt that God forgiving Nineveh was unthinkable. This message helps us understand the context behind Jonah's conflict, even after he carried out God's instruction; and it offers insights into handling our present-day personal issues of conflict when it comes to the all-important matter of forgiveness.